Country
code
Savoie
Crash of a Gulfstream GIII off Chambéry
Date & Time:
Feb 6, 1998 at 1239 LT
Registration:
VP-BLN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Geneva - Chambéry - Riyadh
MSN:
402
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
2863.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
415
Aircraft flight hours:
7205
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Geneva-Cointrin Airport at 1220LT with three crew members and two passengers on a short flight to Chambéry where additional passengers should embark before a flight to Riyadh. After being cleared for an ILS approach to runway 18, the crew continued the descent in relative good weather conditions. On final approach, the aircraft descended below the glide until it struck the water surface of Lake of Bourget and crashed one km short of runway. All five occupants evacuated the cabin and jumped in a 4° C water. The aircraft lost its tail and sank by a depth of 33 metres. The stewardess suffered a broken arm.
Probable cause:
The impact with the water was the result of a loss of visual references during final approach during which the crew voluntarily brought the plane beneath the ILS glide slope, in an area affected by mist, on one hand and on the other hand due the failure to decide to execute a missed approach.
Crash of a Beechcraft 99 Airliner in Chambéry
Date & Time:
Jan 15, 1970
Operator:
Registration:
F-BRUF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris-Le Bourget – Chambéry
MSN:
U-121
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Paris-Le Bourget, the crew started the approach to Chambéry-Aix-les-Bains Airport by night. In a limited visibility, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground and came to rest in a swampy area located few dozen meters short of runway 18 threshold. All 17 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the airport was not equipped with an ILS system.
Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B near Courchevel: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 19, 1969
Registration:
N9093N
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
London - Sydney
MSN:
500-1398-54
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to an international rallye between UK and Sydney, in Australia. The aircraft departed London on 19 of December and the contact was already lost with ATC when the aircraft was flying over the Alps. As the airplane failed to arrive at the next stopover, SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few weeks later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. On 5 August 1970, walkers found the wreckage on the slope of a mountain located near the Rocher de la Plassa, about 6 km southeast of Courchevel. Both occupants have been killed.
